Greetings guys and gals: In 1985 I built my first woodshop, and at the onset after the shop was completed, I took pictues of it inside and out. As I began to buy tools and machines, I also took pictures of each one of them. As I bought a new tool or machine, the picture would go into a pixs album that I started. After moving to Arkansas, and my new shop was built, I did the same thing. Since being over here, I’ve added a couple of machines, and plan to add a couple of more. The more pictures you have of everything, the better off you will be. I also have the serial and model #’s written down in a notebook of everything I own, from hand drills to all my tools to machines. I’ve kept every instruction manual that ever came with anything.I guess what I’m getting at is that if anything ever happened like a fire, tornado, tree falling on the shop… whatever… then I would have proof and pictures to show my insurance company. Also I have a bass rig and tow vehicle in my shop that I can’t afford to lose without proof. But to me personally, I think it’s the smart thing to do if you own a shop… just like a houe, it needs protection. I think with pixs, #’s kept in a safe place ,we’re a whole lot better off safewise. I don’t keep any information out in the shop, or pixs….. they are all stored on my computer in a file, just for proof. I guess the question I’m after is: Do you keep pixs and serial and model#’s of your equipment? Could you show proof to cover a lose? Something to ponder on…....and..I have pixs on Photobucket also, so that’s another backup…......... thanks, Martin for Photobucket….... later.

37 replies so far

Hi Rick:I applaud your self discipline – what you do is absolutely is good management.

I do some of that, but suffer from a severe case of “When I get around to it,” so I am usually behind the 8 ball in keeping it up to date.

The main engine of my system is a spread sheet for most household inventory (with a value of more than $25.00) on the computer that has columns including Item Name, Model No., Serial No., and Description.

I also take photos (digital) but I don’t usually print them, just keep them on my hard drive.

Being blessed with 2 computers (laptop and desktop) I have them networked, so I keep all important files on the desktop which allows me to carry the laptop from room to room and to the shop to update the inventory file without paper.

I also subscribe to an on-line back up service (Mozy) for the desktop which automatically backs up all data files including photos every morning at 12:01 am. That way if everything burns up, gets blown away, stolen or if the computer fails, I can retrieve the stuff from Mozy.

ajosephg, With your spread sheet and photos copy them to a “thumb drive” and carry it on your key chain so if your computer goes away then you still have all your important info and the drive fits any computer. I also do this with all important documents and insurance info.

I keep a detailed spreadsheet with photos of my equipment, down to the screwdrivers etc… and a running tally of when I bought it, and how much I paid for it, that I have synchronized in several locations, including hard copies. Part of my problem is going to be the stuff I got used. Many of the models of equipment I have aren’t in production any more… But yeah, I cover everything in as much detail as I can to avoid hassle later…

I do a annual inventory of my shop, I get out every tool and take a new pic of it, that way if I get a new tool I have it logged and I get rid of some old ones from time to time so I don’t want their pics mixed in, it takes me the better part of a morning to do it every year but thats a small price to pay if they were ever lost in a fire or stolen. I also have the number on my drivers license engraved on all of my tools just in case they are ever stolen, they can be traced back to me.

-- A hammer dangling from a wall will bang and sound like work when the wind blows the right way.

ajosephg, if your info is in your computer and something happens to your computer (stolen, fire, storm) then you have lost your data. Derek Lyons, I agree with the key loss but then my keys are fastened to my belt. Incription with password is a good deterant but that too is not perfect. Another family member in another household would also be safer. There are many ways to safegaurd and even more to foul the safegaurds but we do as we can until we find to perfect way.

KindlingmakerI guess I should have made it more clear. The main point of my post was OFFSITE AUTOMATIC BACKUP. The charge is nominal and if anything happens to my computer, the data can be retrieved on a different or new computer. CDs/DVD/Thumbdrives can and do fail often enought that vital data may not be there when you need it the most.

Hey guys: All the ideas presented here are very good ones. The main goal is to protect what we have, any way we can from whatever comes along. If it’s pixs, written-down information, computer, whatever, and however we can safeguard our equipment, the more the better…....

Matt…....... the quicker you get to it, the safer you’ll be. It’ll pay off in the long run. If nothing else, gives you peace of mind knowing that you’ve got the info and pixs safe at hand…...... keep on keeping on…..later.